When you are job searching, you are likely applying to several jobs at once. You may be juggling a few different resumes, cover letters, and hopefully multiple interviews. Here are a few tips to help you organize your job search effectively.

Maintain a clean workspace

If your workspace is cluttered, it will be difficult to have a clear mind. Spend the time to throw away things you do not need and find logical places to store the things you do.

Make a schedule and keep it

Commit to a certain amount of time each day to work on your job search. If you are currently working, it might be just a few hours a week. It could be 3 hours every Saturday, or one hour every weekday evening. Regardless of how much time you commit to your job search, make a plan, and stick to it.

Update and enhance your resume

You will need to have the best resume ready to go when you start applying to jobs. Depending on your field, you may need more than one resume ready. Hiring a professional to help you with this is a worthy investment.

Create a list of target companies

Where do you want to work? Identify at least twenty companies that you consider ideal to work for by researching their reputation and culture. Once you have created your list, research each organization and consider conducting informational interviews with individuals that work at those companies. Use the information you gather to tailor your cover letters, and interview responses to each targeted organization.

Build your network

Most people get their jobs through who they know. So, get out there and meet people either in-person or virtually. Request advice, ask to whom else you should be talking. Who in your target organizations could you network with? Do you know anyone who can introduce you? Connect, connect, connect!

Use LinkedIn to organize your job search

When you search for jobs on LinkedIn you can save jobs that interest you and apply when you are ready.

Develop your LinkedIn profile by using your resume as a guide. Bring your profile to at least 90% completion so when prospective employers view your profile, they get a clear picture of your background and experience.

Obtain recommendations from clients, supervisors, peers, and those that reported to you. These recommendations will tell prospective employers the type of employee you are.

Join related groups to expand your reach, such as: Industries that interest you, Discipline-based, Local Networking, and Jobseeker focused groups.

Apply for the right roles

A lot of jobseekers believe that the more jobs they apply for, the higher their chances of getting an interview. Quality is always better than quantity when you are applying to jobs. It is always best to send out fewer resumes that are carefully tailored to specific roles than send out hundreds of resumes to just any job.

Track job search activities weekly

Stay on top of things and stay organized. I provide all my clients, a job tracking spreadsheet. It is hard to remember all the details surrounding each job you may be interested in or applied to, so a job tracking spreadsheet helps you stay organized. Set reminders on your calendar, in your notes app, on your phone or computer. If you know you need to follow up on an email or circle back to check in about the status of a job, remind yourself somewhere so you do it.

Set a plan, get organized and get job searching!